The Medora Covered Bridge was the longest covered bridge in the United states with the entire original historic truss still in place with some repairs but no structural changes. Measuring the clear span (abutment face to abutment face) of 431'10", the Medora Covered Bridge is the longest historic covered bridge in the United States. The roof length of 461' and the siding at the floor length of 459' are also the longest historic covered bridge measurements in the U.S..
Location
The Medora Covered Bridge is located in
Carr Township in
Jackson County,
Indiana
Indiana () is a U.S. state in the Midwestern United States. It is the 38th-largest by area and the 17th-most populous of the 50 States. Its capital and largest city is Indianapolis. Indiana was admitted to the United States as the 19th s ...
, and crosses the East Fork of the
White River running parallel to
State Road 235. It is approximately one mile east of
Medora and nine miles southwest of
Brownstown.
History
The Medora Covered Bridge was built in 1875 by J.J. Daniels at a cost of $18,142.00 and took nine months to build. The bridge was covered to protect the truss from the elements. Before the bridge was built people crossed the river by ferry.
[ ''Note:'' This includes and Accompanying photographs.]
It has been reported but not verified that at one time there was wooden railing down the middle of the bridge separating the two way traffic. As the vehicles became wider, the railing was removed and it was then one way.
Until 1935 the bridge carried
U.S. Route 50 when it (U.S. 50) was moved four miles to the north.
In 1968 the bridge was scheduled for demolition when the new modern parallel bridge was to be opened but was saved by an order from then Governor Whitcomb in 1971.
A modern parallel bridge was opened in 1973. The covered bridge was closed to vehicular traffic at that time.
In 2007, the bridge was added to th
National Register of Historic Places
In June 2011 a rehab of the bridge was completed. The original truss remained in place with a few repairs. The cedar shake shingles, siding (Seven of the original boards, identified by square nail holes, were placed on the north side of the far west end.), pilons and some of the rafters were replaced. Except for the shingles, most of these items were original but badly deteriorated. Much of the flooring was replaced but was not original.
[Indiana Department Of Transportation, Bridge Plans, Project No. 0101359, Medora Covered Bridge]
See also
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List of covered bridges in Indiana
References
External links
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Site devoted to the Medora Bridge and its restoration
{{NRHP bridges
National Register of Historic Places in Jackson County, Indiana
Covered bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana
Bridges completed in 1875
Historic American Engineering Record in Indiana
Wooden bridges in Indiana
Transportation buildings and structures in Jackson County, Indiana
Tourist attractions in Jackson County, Indiana
U.S. Route 50
Road bridges on the National Register of Historic Places in Indiana
Burr Truss bridges in the United States
1875 establishments in Indiana